About Us

In 1828, a small dispensary was formed with a great mission in mind - to provide free medical services to the poor people of the southern Chinese province of Guangdong (also known as Canton). This was the Canton Dispensary – the origin of A.S. Watson Group (ASW). Through decades of rapid expansion, ASW has evolved into a the largest international health & beauty retailer in Asia and Europe with stores across 24 markets.

The Group has one of the world's largest portfolio of retail formats, retail brands and geographical presence. Proudly supported by a global family of over 110,000 staff, the Group is also a member of the world renowned multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited, which has major interests in ports and related services; property and hotels; retail; infrastructure; energy and telecommunications in over 50 countries.

The largest international health & beauty retailer in Asia and Europe, with over 11,400 stores operating 13 retail brands in 24 markets worldwide

Asia's largest health & beauty retailer under the Group’s flagship brand Watsons, currently operating over 4,500 stores and more than 1,200 pharmacies worldwide, including 9 Asian markets in China (Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia; as well as Turkey and Ukraine in Europe

The largest Health & Beauty retailer in Benelux region, with over 1,200 stores trading under the names of Kruidvat and Trekpleister in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg